movie review chronicles of narnia

Common Sense Media

Movie & TV reviews for parents

• For Parents
• For Educators
• Our Work and Impact

Or browse by category:

• Get the app
• Movie Reviews
• Best Movie Lists
• Best Movies on Netflix, Disney+, and More

Common Sense Selections for Movies

50 Modern Movies All Kids Should Watch Before They're 12

• Best TV Lists
• Best TV Shows on Netflix, Disney+, and More
• Common Sense Selections for TV
• Video Reviews of TV Shows

Best Kids' Shows on Disney+

Best Kids' TV Shows on Netflix

• Book Reviews
• Best Book Lists
• Common Sense Selections for Books

8 Tips for Getting Kids Hooked on Books

50 Books All Kids Should Read Before They're 12

• Game Reviews
• Best Game Lists

Common Sense Selections for Games

• Video Reviews of Games

Nintendo Switch Games for Family Fun

• Podcast Reviews
• Best Podcast Lists

Common Sense Selections for Podcasts

Parents' Guide to Podcasts

• App Reviews
• Best App Lists

Social Networking for Teens

Gun-Free Action Game Apps

Reviews for AI Apps and Tools

• YouTube Channel Reviews
• YouTube Kids Channels by Topic

Parents' Ultimate Guide to YouTube Kids

YouTube Kids Channels for Gamers

• Preschoolers (2-4)
• Little Kids (5-7)
• Big Kids (8-9)
• Pre-Teens (10-12)
• Teens (13+)
• Screen Time
• Social Media
• Online Safety
• Identity and Community

How to Talk with Kids About Violence, Crime, and War

• Family Tech Planners
• Digital Skills
• All Articles
• Latino Culture
• Black Voices
• Asian Stories
• Native Narratives
• LGBTQ+ Pride
• Best of Diverse Representation List

Multicultural Books

YouTube Channels with Diverse Representations

Podcasts with Diverse Characters and Stories

The chronicles of narnia: the lion, the witch and the wardrobe, common sense media reviewers.

Timeless classic faithfully rendered; some battle scenes.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Making the ultimate sacrifice to protect others is

The children begin fearful, and one brother is gre

Little people are cast in stereotypical roles as f

Opening scene of WWII bombing in London. A boy is

In one scene, a character calls their sibling an i

Professor smokes a pipe.

Based on C.S. Lewis' classic series The Chronicles of Narnia , this adaptation centers around four children who find the magical land of Narnia through the portal of an unexpected wardrobe. Though harrowing, this mythical tale includes some violent scenes, including a WWII bombing of London, children separated…

Positive Messages

Making the ultimate sacrifice to protect others is a major theme. Trust, redemption, and forgiveness are also vital to the story.

Positive Role Models

The children begin fearful, and one brother is greedy and selfish, but they learn to trust one another and work together. In Narnia, a fawn chooses staying loyal over deception. Aslan shows how sacrifice can serve a greater good. Narnia teaches the main characters courage, compassion, and strength.

Diverse Representations

Little people are cast in stereotypical roles as fantasy "dwarves" in the films, at first only seen as servants for the evil witch, but later included in the fight for Aslan. All human characters are White. The two main female characters are largely powerless and uninvolved in the central war that takes place in the film. Instead, they sit in mourning as the kingdom turns to chaos. The witch plays into stereotypical fears about women in power. While some mythical diversity exists among ogres, fawns, and warlocks, any deeper themes about inclusion, or of celebrating differences, are absent.

Did we miss something on diversity? Suggest an update.

Violence & Scariness

Opening scene of WWII bombing in London. A boy is imprisoned and abused by an evil witch. Often intense (but pretty bloodless) battles involving animals, mythical creatures, and kids who use bows and arrows, swords, and spears. Severe injuries and deaths. Animals are killed at close range, and a woman is mauled by a lion off camera. Children are separated from their mother.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

In one scene, a character calls their sibling an idiot and selfish.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Based on C.S. Lewis' classic series The Chronicles of Narnia , this adaptation centers around four children who find the magical land of Narnia through the portal of an unexpected wardrobe. Though harrowing, this mythical tale includes some violent scenes, including a WWII bombing of London, children separated from their mother, an evil witch who imprisons and tortures people, and swordplay where some characters suffer severe injuries, sometimes dying. While not overt, the movie includes Christian imagery (a martyred, Christlike lion, a rebirth from magic water) and allegorical storylines. The children overcome their fears by learning the power of teamwork and bravery. Together they become a valiant force, led by compassion, and poised to rule. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Where to Watch

Videos and photos.

Community Reviews

• Parents say (1)
• Kids say (3)

Based on 1 parent review

What's the Story?

Based on C.S. Lewis ' beloved novel, THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE begins when the Pevensie children—Peter ( William Moseley ), Edmund (Skandar Keynes), Susan (Anna Popplewell), and Lucy ( Georgie Henley )—are sent away from the dangers of World War II to live in the country with Professor Kirke ( Jim Broadbent ). While playing hide and seek, the children discover a magical wardrobe that serves as a portal to Narnia, a kingdom under the power of the evil White Witch ( Tilda Swinton ). When 6-year-old Lucy first meets the faun Mr. Tumnus ( James McAvoy ), her siblings won't believe her. But soon all four children have tumbled through the portal into Narnia and find they must rescue Edmund, who's been enticed (and kidnapped) by the Witch. While the Witch holds Narnia under a wintry sway, she dreads the return of Aslan the lion (voiced by Liam Neeson ), the character C.S. Lewis endows with savior-like properties. The Pevensies discover their own strengths, as they learn of a prophecy declaring them crucial to saving Narnia. After accepting their destiny to save the kingdom, with Aslan's help, they set out to challenge the witch's reign and return warmth to Narnia.

Is It Any Good?

This thrilling adaptation of a classic tale makes a case for love among siblings by granting them a common enemy. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe has a lush forest full of animals and mythical creatures that recall the Lord of the Rings franchise. Including everything from cheetahs and horses and centaurs to Aslan's crew of ogres, dwarves, and minotaurs, Narnia gathers a diverse group of mythical creatures. While the story was initially written as a Christian allegory, none of the Christian elements are obvious, and viewers could watch the movie without realizing any of this. This riveting tale of redemption is likely to warm audiences' hearts.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about the bonds among the four siblings in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe . How do they comfort and provoke one another while away from their mother and fearful about the war? How is Narnia a fantasy born of this combination of supporting one another and concern about their future?

How do the animals and creatures in Narnia represent different aspects of the children's daily lives—their courage , fear, and desires? How do characters demonstrate teamwork and compassion ?

Did you notice any Christian iconography in the film? Does the film's allegorical story affect your viewing experience? If so, in what way?

Movie Details

• In theaters : December 9, 2005
• On DVD or streaming : May 27, 0016
• Cast : Tilda Swinton , Georgie Henley , Skandar Keynes , William Moseley , James McAvoy
• Director : Andrew Adamson
• Inclusion Information : Female actors, Female writers
• Studio : Buena Vista Pictures
• Genre : Family and Kids
• Topics : Magic and Fantasy , Book Characters , Brothers and Sisters , Great Boy Role Models , Great Girl Role Models
• Character Strengths : Compassion , Courage , Teamwork
• Run time : 143 minutes
• MPAA rating : PG
• MPAA explanation : battle sequences and frightening moments
• Last updated : June 23, 2024

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Suggest an Update

Our editors recommend.

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1979)

Bridge to Terabithia

City of Ember

The Spiderwick Chronicles

Best magical movies, best fantasy movies, related topics.

• Magic and Fantasy
• Book Characters
• Brothers and Sisters
• Great Boy Role Models
• Great Girl Role Models

Want suggestions based on your streaming services? Get personalized recommendations

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

• Cast & crew
• User reviews

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

While playing, Lucy and her siblings find a wardrobe that lands them in a mystical place called Narnia. Here they realize that it was fated and they must now unite with Aslan to defeat an ev... Read all While playing, Lucy and her siblings find a wardrobe that lands them in a mystical place called Narnia. Here they realize that it was fated and they must now unite with Aslan to defeat an evil queen. While playing, Lucy and her siblings find a wardrobe that lands them in a mystical place called Narnia. Here they realize that it was fated and they must now unite with Aslan to defeat an evil queen.

• Andrew Adamson
• Ann Peacock
• Christopher Markus
• Tilda Swinton
• Georgie Henley
• William Moseley
• 1.6K User reviews
• 221 Critic reviews
• 75 Metascore
• 18 wins & 46 nominations total

Top cast 69

• White Witch

• Lucy Pevensie

• Peter Pevensie

• Edmund Pevensie

• Susan Pevensie

• Professor Kirke

• Father Christmas
• Mrs. Pevensie

• Mrs. Macready

• General Otmin
• Boy on Train
• Girl on Train
• Train Conductor
• Distraught Mother
• (as Shelley Edwards-Bishop)
• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

More like this

Did you know

• Trivia Georgie Henley 's reaction to Mr. Tumnus at the lamppost is genuine. She had not seen her castmate James McAvoy in his costume before filming the scene, so her screams and reactions were real. Georgie's first reaction to the snowy world of Narnia is also genuine. She was carried into the set blindfolded to make her first entrance, and her wide-eyed, delighted reactions to it all were entirely her own.
• Goofs When the children are running around in the house trying to find a hiding place while playing hide and seek, Lucy's dress changes from purple to brown.

Aslan : [almost in a roar] Do not cite the Deep Magic to me Witch. I was there when it was written.

• Crazy credits There is a further brief scene with Lucy and the Professor after the initial cast credits.
• Alternate versions German theatrical version (non-digital) was cut for violence to secure a "Not under 6" rating. Digital presentations were uncut (with a "Not under 12" rating). On DVD, both versions were released (standard DVD was cut, collector's edition was uncut).
• Connections Edited into Nostalgia Critic: Black Cauldron (2019)
• Soundtracks Oh Johnny Oh, Johnny Oh! (1917) Music by Abe Olman Lyrics Ed Rose Performed by The Andrews Sisters Courtesy of Geffen Records Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User reviews 1.6K

• Dec 30, 2008
• What is 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' about?
• Is "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" based on a book?
• Why does the wardrobe provide a gateway to Narnia?
• December 9, 2005 (United States)
• United Kingdom
• United States
• Official site
• Stream The Chronicles Of Narnia officially on Disney+ Hotstar Indonesia
• Brazilian Sign Language
• The Chronicles of Narnia
• Adrspach National Park, Trutnov, Czech Republic (winter forest scenes)
• Walt Disney Pictures
• Walden Media
• See more company credits at IMDbPro
• $180,000,000 (estimated)
• $291,710,957
• $65,556,312
• Dec 11, 2005
• $745,013,115

Technical specs

• Runtime 2 hours 23 minutes
• Dolby Digital

Related news

Contribute to this page.

• IMDb Answers: Help fill gaps in our data
• Learn more about contributing

More to explore

Recently viewed.

Notice: All forms on this website are temporarily down for maintenance. You will not be able to complete a form to request information or a resource. We apologize for any inconvenience and will reactivate the forms as soon as possible.

• DVD & Streaming

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

• Action/Adventure , Drama , Kids , Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Content Caution

In Theaters

• Georgie Henley as Lucy; Skandar Keynes as Edmund; Anna Popplewell as Susan; William Moseley as Peter; Tilda Swinton as Jadis the White Witch; James McAvoy as Mr. Tumnus; Kiran Shah as Ginarrbrik; Jim Broadbent as Professor Kirke; voices of Liam Neeson as Aslan; Ray Winstone as Mr. Beaver; Dawn French as Mrs. Beaver

Home Release Date

• Andrew Adamson

Distributor

• Walt Disney

Movie Review

The four Pevensie children—Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter—have been evacuated from London during the Nazi bombing of that city in World War II. They end up living with an old professor on a rambling country estate far from the city and the war. But the professor’s housekeeper, Mrs. Macready, is the original wet blanket, so the children must find ways to keep themselves amused without falling afoul of her stern gaze.

C.S. Lewis’ classic children’s tale has finally made it to the big screen in a way that captures the novel’s breadth and splendor. When Lucy climbs into a huge wardrobe while playing hide and seek, the furs give way to firs, and she finds herself in a snow-covered land called Narnia. Soon all the Pevensie children enter this magical world where it is always winter but never Christmas.

The White Witch responsible for 100 years of cold knows full well that an ancient prophecy says two sons of Adam and two daughters of Eve will come to challenge her curse. So she immediately sets out to kill the children. She’s unwittingly helped by Edmund, who through his own selfishness and foolish pride quickly falls under her spell.

Chases. Fights. Battles. Beavers! A lion named Aslan who becomes a picture of Jesus. And the love that binds four siblings together. These are just a few of the reasons the land of Narnia is so loved by so many.

Positive Elements

This story is chock-a-block with positive lessons about loyalty, courage, selflessness and sacrifice. Peter and Susan look after each other and their younger brother and sister. Reluctant to assume leadership at first, Peter takes charge of the army of light determined to defeat the White Witch. He steps up as the eldest and, among other things, puts himself between his siblings and a pack of ravenous wolves.

Indeed, many of the mythological beings and talking animals of Narnia put themselves in harm’s way to help the children fight against the forces of darkness. At great personal risk, Mr. and Mrs. Beaver offer their humble home to the Pevensies and later lead them through tunnels and woods to keep ahead of the wolves. Lucy’s newfound faun friend, Mr. Tumnus, overcomes the temptation to try to gain favor with the White Witch, and he pays dearly for doing the right thing. A fox offers himself as a sacrifice to help the children escape the clutches of the White Witch. Then, in an act that forms the core of the story, Aslan becomes the ultimate sacrifice to pay the penalty for Edmund’s treachery. (Edmund’s siding with the White Witch is used to good effect as this tale tells us about our own propensity to stray off the straight-and-narrow.)

When bickering gets the best of the children, the professor gently chides them, saying, “You’re a family. You should start acting like one.” Peter and Susan reprimand Edmund and demand that he apologize when he plays a cruel trick on Lucy. Lucy, for her part, is quick to forgive.

Spiritual Elements

It is in the spiritual realm that The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe displays its greatest positivity. C.S. Lewis intended Aslan to serve as a Christ figure and for the events that surround him to serve as an allegory for Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection. This film fully embraces those allusions.

A primer on Narnian allegory: Aslan serves the Emperor Beyond the Sea (God the Father) and yet is also creator of Narnia (compare Colossians 1:16). Even though Aslan clearly has power over the White Witch, he chooses to work through human beings to accomplish his will to free Narnia. And he offers his own innocent blood to pay for Edmund’s sin (Romans 5:8). His “Gethsemane” is a forest glade. His “disciples” are Susan and Lucy. As he is led to the Stone Table to be killed, he is mocked and humiliated by the White Witch’s evil cohort yet does not protest or fight back (read Isaiah 53:4-7 and the gospel accounts of Christ’s scourging and crucifixion). Most important, he rises from the dead and the atonement is complete (Colossians 1:13-14). Aslan tells Edmund’s siblings not to bring up their brother’s betrayal again: “What’s done is done,” he explains (Psalm 103:12; 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Hebrews 10:17). As he presents Edmund to the court at the castle Cair Paravel, he calls him “Edmund the Just” (see Romans 5:19).

Christin Ditchfield, author of A Family Guide to Narnia , offers other biblical parallels. “All of Narnia awaits deliverance from the dominion of the White Witch,” she writes. “The land itself longs to be free from captivity (Romans 8:19-21). According to the Deep Magic (or law) on which Narnia was founded, Edmund must pay the penalty for his treachery with his life (Romans 6:23 and Hebrews 9:22). Aslan is the only hope for Narnia and for Edmund. It is only Aslan, the one who created Narnia, who can now deliver it from the power of the White Witch (1 John 3:8).”

Also, it should be noted that the White Witch is a usurper and pretender to the throne who has temporary control of Narnia until Aslan returns (Ephesians 2:2). She has magic powers to turn living things to stone and uses a potion to conjure hot chocolate and Turkish delight (an ultra-sweet dessert) for Edmund. Her subtle lies to Edmund are a good illustration of James 1:14-15.

Father Christmas makes an appearance and gives Lucy a magic potion that can heal wounds. (She uses it to revive Edmund after he is stabbed.) Susan is given arrows that she’s told will “not easily miss” their target.

Sexual Content

Violent content.

Lewis begins his book with the simple line, “They were sent away from London during the war because of the air raids.” The movie begins by dramatizing those 14 words with a depiction of the German attack. We see a plane crash in flames. Bombers loom overhead and loud explosions roar in the background as the children run for cover. Edmund and Peter are knocked over by the force of one blast.

The film concludes with a grand battle featuring armies of animals and mythological creatures. Minotaurs, centaurs, unicorns, cyclopes and giants run headlong into each other. (No blood or gore is shown in any of these sequences.) Volleys of arrows are fired, and Susan fells a malicious dwarf with one well-aimed shot. Swords and lances do their damage. Giants swing their clubs. And Edmund is stabbed with a broken spear. Griffins dive-bomb the White Witch’s army with giant boulders. A charging rhino bowls over enemy forces and tosses one creature into the air with its horn.

In between those “modern” and “ancient” battles, Peter, Susan, Lucy and the Beavers are pursued through a tunnel by a pack of wolves, who at another time catch the fox and threaten to kill him. The children also cross a frozen river as the ice breaks beneath their feet and as a frozen waterfall begins to thaw and collapse above them. They are eventually cornered by the wolves, and they wind up falling into the raging torrent and being swept downstream. Later, Peter kills a wolf with his sword. (Again, no blood is seen, even though Aslan tells Peter to clean his blade.) Some of Aslan’s soldiers attack the White Witch’s encampment to free Edmund, swinging swords as the Witch’s henchmen fight back.

Ginarrbrik, the White Witch’s evil dwarf, tackles Edmund and holds a knife to his throat. The Witch slaps Edmund, and Ginarrbrik raps him over the head with a pike. Characters grimace in pain as the White Witch turns them to stone.

At the Stone Table, Aslan is physically abused, shaved and tied up. The White Witch then stands over him with a spear and plunges it downward. (This blow, as is the case throughout the film, makes impact offscreen ; we see Aslan’s eyes go wide in pain as he absorbs the fatal wound.)

Crude or Profane Language

Mr. Beaver says “blimey” and calls Edmund a “cheeky blighter.”

Drug and Alcohol Content

The professor smokes a pipe.

Other Negative Elements

The children run to hide in the wardrobe to escape responsibility for accidentally breaking a window and knocking over a suit of armor. (In the book, they were merely trying to stay out from under Mrs. Macready’s feet.) In anger Peter says of Edmund, “I’ll kill him!”

“It’s like Lord of the Rings with animals!” That was my son’s assessment after seeing an advance screening of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. And it’s true. Sort of.

Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien were friends who deeply loved old stories of mythological lands and strange beings, and both wrote from a profoundly Christian worldview. But Lewis’ tales are more clearly Christian allegories, or, as he preferred to call them, “supposals.” He explained that he wrote his stories by asking this question: “Let us suppose that there were a land like Narnia and that the Son of God, as he became a man in our world, became a lion there, and then imagine what would happen.” For his part, Tolkien hated the thought that his books would be considered allegorical at all.

There are visual differences between the movies, too. Narnia is much lighter. No rain-drenched battles in the dark of night here. The Witch and her minions are evil, but they’re nowhere near as scary as Rings ‘ orcs and Uruk-hai. That’s not to say Narnia is a shoo-in for children. It feels intense for a PG movie (shortly before it was released, it was trimmed slightly to avoid a PG-13). And the climactic battle scene and chase sequence will likely frighten more than a few kids. The Witch’s cruelty to Edmund is harsh, and the humiliation and killing of Aslan will bring a tear even to an adult’s eye.

So this is not a tame movie. But in the words of Lucy, it is “good.” Shrek director Andrew Adamson has deftly captured the thrill and splendor of Lewis’ stories and preserved the essential allegory at the heart of Narnia . Lewis once referred to his Chronicles as a “trifle.” I wonder, though, if he would still be saying that after seeing it brought to life like this and after pondering how much spiritual good his words (and now pictures) have the potential of doing in the hearts of generations he never knew.

Latest Reviews

Deadpool & Wolverine

A Quiet Place: Day One

Janet Planet

Weekly Reviews Straight to your Inbox!

• Become a Critical Movie Critic
• Movie Review Archives

Movie Review: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)

• General Disdain
• Movie Reviews
• 2 responses
• --> January 2, 2006

Although, I had never actually read the book,”The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” I had heard a great many good things about it. So, I had high expectations going in to see this movie.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe depicts four brothers and sisters (two each) torn from their home in London during WWII sent to live with a distant relative in the country. It is here they learn the concepts of family, love and understanding.

Visually, this movie is magnificent. The initial wintry snowscape of Narnia is a wonder to see. Equally impressive is the springtime views. Above all else, the character animations of the all the creatures is well above par. Aslan, the lion, is extremely lifelike, as are all the other inhabitants of Narnia. I was initially skeptical, if the producers could pull this off, but the CGI is as good as “The Lord of Rings” trilogy.

However, the movie isn’t only about the visuals. There is content. Luckily, the movie doesn’t fall short there either. Initially, the children look to Narnia as an escape from the realities of war. Instead, they come to the gruesome discovery that evil abounds everywhere, and at all costs it needs to be stemmed. It is here the eldest brother steps up to the plate and bonds his family together (even after treachery), and along with Aslan, aids in the battle against the White Witch.

Another pleasant surprise was performances by the cast. Especially, Georgie Henley. She plays Lucy, the youngest daughter, and is a delight to watch. Her expressions and convincing actions, alone make this movie worth the watch. Likewise, Tilda Swinton (the White Witch), portrays a cunning, evil-to-the-bone tyrant splendidly. Just looking at her made my skin crawl.

What more can be said? The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a movie that deserves to be seen. At the very least, you will be entertained by the Good vs. Evil battle scenes and stunning visuals. At the most, the movie will remind you of your childhood, and bring back great feelings and memories.

Tagged: children , kingdom , magic , novel adaptation

I'm an old, miserable fart set in his ways. Some of the things that bring a smile to my face are (in no particular order): Teenage back acne, the rain on my face, long walks on the beach and redneck women named Francis. Oh yeah, I like to watch and criticize movies.

Movie Review: Ghosted (2023) Movie Review: Bill & Ted Face the Music (2020) Movie Review: Fantasy Island (2020) Movie Review: Snatched (2017) Movie Review: Horrible Bosses 2 (2014) Movie Review: ABCs of Death 2 (2014) Movie Review: Life After Beth (2014)

'Movie Review: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)' have 2 comments

July 21, 2007 @ 6:57 am Skinny

Visually beautiful movie, but I was somehow disturbed by the messiah references in the end.

Log in to Reply

June 21, 2008 @ 1:45 am Ojay

Yes, a visual masterpiece. However, the theme is a bit creepy and I wouldn’t recommend any kid under eight to watch this movie. Narnia seems to mix prophecy with fairy tale and I agree with Skinny about the messiah references…a little much.

Privacy Policy | About Us

 |  Log in

Movie Reviews

Tv/streaming, collections, chaz's journal, great movies, contributors, whose prophecy is it anyway.

Now streaming on:

The "Chronicles of Narnia" movies take place in several worlds simultaneously. The magical fantasy land of the title is grounded in ancient Greco-Roman mythology, ruled by sorcery and superstition, and populated by centaurs, minotaurs, fauns, gryphons, talking mammals, tree spirits and such. The Pevensie kids are homo sapiens children of WW II England, though they spend most of their screen-time (and alternate lives) in Narnia, where they are royalty.

C.S. Lewis wrote the novels in the post-war United Kingdom, between 1949 and 1954. And the pictures themselves are the products of a globalized 21st-century economy dominated by multinational conglomerates like the Walt Disney Company. All of these influences can be felt in the first two "Narnia" films, " The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe " (2005) and the latest, "Prince Caspian" (2008).

With bigger battles and scarier monsters than its predecessor, the new movie flaunts grander visual effects, and, with one notable exception, a dash more individuality than the initial installment. Thanks are due to supporting appearances by a diminutive Narnian named Trumpkin ( Peter Dinklage , whose eyes have to do all the work underneath those flowing whiskers and latex wrinkles) and a fearless feather-sporting mouse named Reepicheep (voiced by Eddie Izzard with flair, and without overacting).

The keepers of the franchise should also be delighted that the actors playing the Pevensie children have aged so gracefully over the last three years, or 1,300, depending on how you're counting. You never know when somebody's going to go through an awkward stage, but these kids have only grown more photogenic with time.

As for the other visual effects: While most of the CGI in "Wardrobe" was passable, some dialog scenes with the children displayed what looked like surprisingly sloppy green-screen work, especially for such a mega-production. (Hasty re-shoots, perhaps?) This time, the great lion Aslan (voiced deeply but rather blandly by Liam Neeson ) is still too much of a cuddly plush toy from the vanished kingdom of F.A.O. Schwartz, but some of the other sights are thrilling, notably a floody encounter with Poseidon/Neptune, and some mobile trees that could make Birnam Wood come to Dunsinane in a jiffy. These are no doubt highly sophisticated technical and artistic achievements, but they retain some of the simplicity and charm of Ray Harryhausen's pioneering stop-motion creations.

If you've read the novels (I haven't), you already know that your favorite characters from the first movie, like Mr. Tumnus the Faun and Mr. and Mrs. Beaver, will not be returning. "Prince Caspian" takes place centuries after the vanquishing of the titular witch in part one. As part two begins, the persecuted Narnian diaspora has been driven deep into the woods, and allegedly to the brink of extinction, by usurper Telmarine King Miraz ( Sergio Castellitto ).

It is never quite clear, though, who exactly the Narnians are . They're definitely not a species or a race because they include leopards, badgers, dwarves (they're called "dwarves" in the credits, not "little people"), giants, rhinoceroses, unicorns and mice (many of whom are conversant in English) -- but not , as you may recall from the first film, tigers, wolves, cyclopses, miniature Huns or two-legged yaks, all of whom are unaccountably but virulently anti-Narnian.

Now it's Prince Caspian ( Ben Barnes , with his indefinable Mediterranean accent -- more Spanish than Italian) who must return from exile to claim the throne, and although he's a Son of Adam (human), he's not a Narnian, he's a Telmarine. And we don't really know what that is, either. Unfortunately -- since he figures prominently in the next two installments as well -- Caspian registers as little more than a pretty vacancy in his debut outing. The time spent on his story, and the political backstabbing at the dark and dreary royal court, involving bearded lords and generals who all run together in a swarthy stew, feels like expositional padding, and there's too much of it in this nearly two-and-a-half-hour movie.

When the film initially plunges us into the Caspian story (the prince's daring escape from his uncle's castle on the night Miraz's wife delivers him a male heir), its strategy is unclear: Are we being introduced to a new character because we're supposed to care, or are the filmmakers just toying with us, delaying the gratification of seeing the Pevensie siblings? All of the above, probably. In wartime London, the formerly cranky and petulant Edmund ( Skandar Keynes ) has become a trusty backer of his testy older brother Peter ( William Moseley ), who resents being a regular teen again after having already lived to adulthood as golden-boy High King of Narnia. Susan ( Anna Popplewell ) is learning to fend off nerdy smitten schoolboys, and Lucy ( Georgie Henley ) has developed poise and grace to complement her natural curiosity. It will be up to them to help Caspian defeat Miraz and restore the monarchy.

As directed by Son of Adam Andrew Adamson (the " Shrek " series), the "Narnia" movies are mostly about the plot and the effects, not necessarily in that order. They are serviceable spectacles, but don't approach the mythic grandeur and resonance of more grown-up films like John Boorman's " Excalibur " or Guillermo del Toro's " Pan's Labyrinth ."

And in part that's because character is not destiny in the "Narnia" pictures. Destiny is. Which creates some moral and dramatic dilemmas for the viewer. With all the dramatis personae Lewis has crammed into his filagreed fantasies, few of the players have the opportunity to leave much of an impression, or acquire significance, beyond what the tale demands of them. (Who's that badger again?) They do what is asked of them -- in the story and by the story. And once we realize that even the leads are predestined to play their parts in fulfilling prophecies, and that all they have to do to meet the requirements is to abide by (or guess) whatever certain mystical authority figures want them to do, the tension deflates a bit.

The moral options, as set forth in the movies so far, are fairly clear-cut: believe the beautiful lion and the friendly beavers; don't trust the sepulchral ice queen bearing Turkish Delight or the hideous dark demons extolling the forces of hate. What could be simpler? A child could do it. And what kind of lesson does that communicate to the child who can? That it's easy to tell right from wrong? Not a wise maxim.

What responsibilities do the Sons of Adam and Daughters of Eve (how does that work?) bear for their own decisions, and the consequences of their actions, if everything can eventually be set right by some deus ex machina -- the healing properties of supernatural potions, or the corrective powers of magic lion's breath? What becomes of free will, of meaning itself?

"Prince Caspian" represents a slight moral advancement over its predecessor in that hubris does have catastrophic consequences -- though mostly for extras and bad guys. Hundreds die needlessly because their reputed leaders put too much stock in their own invincible status, but the price paid is never too dear, at least not for anybody you become accustomed to seeing onscreen.

The larger question remains: Why, really, do the Narnians need some anti-democratic, monarchy-loving European Son of Adam to lead them, to protect them, to fulfill their prophecies? (Think of Dennis the repressed anarcho-syndicalist peasant in "Monty Python and the Holy Grail": "You can't expect to wield supreme executive power just because some watery tart threw a sword at you!") Why can't the Narnians just lead themselves?

There's an obvious candidate for the job here -- a towering black centaur named Glenstorm (Cornell S. John), possessed of a noble bearing unsurpassed in Narnia. (He doesn't move as gracefully as he ought, but that fault lies with the effects crew and not with the character.) Now this charismatic fellow is a natural leader, a prophet, and a mesmerizing public speaker to boot. When he talks, you listen. He could also kick the pudding out of Peter or Caspian with both arms behind his back (and still have four legs to stand on!). Sadly for him (and us), his fate was decided a long time ago... by an Irish writer who dwelt in England's green and pleasant land.

Roger Ebert

Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism.

Now playing

Brian Tallerico

Sheila O'Malley

Kalki 2898 - AD

Simon abrams.

A Quiet Place: Day One

Hummingbirds

Travis hopson.

The Human Surge 3

Carlos aguilar, film credits.

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008)

Rated PG for epic battle action and violence

150 minutes

Ben Barnes as Prince Caspian

Georgie Henley as Lucy Pevensie

Skandar Keynes as Edmund Pevensie

William Moseley as Peter Pevensie

Anna Popplewell as Susan Pevensie

Sergio Castellitto as King Miraz

Peter Dinklage as Trumpkin

Warwick Davis as Nikabrik

Eddie Izzard as Reepicheep

Directed by

• Andrew Adamson

Screenplay by

• Christopher Markus
• Stephen McFeely

Based on the novel by

Latest blog posts.

Women in Blue is Good at Suspense, Medium at Feminism

Fantasia 2024: Chainsaws Were Singing, Dark Match, Scared Shitless

Justin Baldoni Wants You to Believe

The Future Was Now Warps Through the Seminal Sci-Fi Summer of 1982

Suggestions

Review: the chronicles of narnia: the lion, the witch and the wardrobe.

It focuses less on the ever-present and distracting bibilical allegory and more on its magic-and-monsters fantasy.

C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe always seemed like The Lord of the Rings for Sunday Schoolers, yet for the most part, Disney’s lavish cinematic adaptation of the novel focuses less on its ever-present and distracting bibilical allegory (which caused even Lewis’s pal J.R.R. Tolkien some indigestion) and more on its magic-and-monsters fantasy. It’s a futile tactic, though, as Andrew Adamson’s film, while respectable, can’t escape the lengthy shadow of Peter Jackson’s Academy Award-winning Rings trilogy, proving incapable of approximating a suitably epic scale or an emotional or thematic resonance to sustain its out-of-this-world adventure from start to finish. And in the wake of last month’s fourth Harry Potter installment, the sight of cyclopes, minotaurs, centaurs, ogres, dwarfs, fauns, and all types of talking forest animals—as well as the image of wide-eyed kids trying to come to terms with the extraordinary creatures before them—merely elicits a disinterested ho-hum that’s only moderately palliated by Tilda Swinton’s malevolently icy performance as the White Witch, Narnia’s would-be conqueror. Its CGI serviceable, Adamson’s direction competent, and its young lead actors solid and largely affectation-free, Narnia ’s tale of four kids during WWII who stumble upon a wardrobe which allows them access to a wintry Never Never Land nonetheless persistently feels wearisomely familiar and slight.

Despite Adamson and his three fellow screenwriters’ thorough attempts to whitewash the story’s more religious features, the film still never manages to fully escape its roots as a spiritual parable. And the devout (who’ve been setting up church-sponsored screenings around the country for the past month) will find significant Christian undercurrents to latch onto, primarily because Lewis’s narrative was a model of unsubtle New Testament symbolism. When responsible Susan Pevensie (Anna Popplewell) tells younger sister Lucy (Georgie Henley) that a wardrobe can’t operate as an inter-dimensional portal because “logically, it’s impossible,” the unspoken implication— you gotta have faith —hangs heavily in the air. Once in Narnia, the kids quickly find themselves at the center of an impending war between the Satanic White Witch and Christ-like Aslan (voiced by Liam Neeson), a virtuous lion who ultimately dies for the sins of Judas-ish Pevensie brother Edmund (Skandar Keynes)—as well as for the good of Narnia—only to be reborn in time to conquer the forces of evil. To say that it’s all more than a bit simplistic and heavy-handed would be a severe understatement. But there’s no denying the unintentional hilarity of Aslan’s overwrought death scene, in which he’s bound, shaved, mocked by a screaming mob, and killed in some sort of surreal anthropomorphic PG version of The Passion of the Christ .

You might be interested in

Problemista Review: Julio Torres’s Wannabe Satire Succumbs to Grating Silliness

4K UHD Blu-ray Review: Danny Boyle’s Trainspotting on the Criterion Collection

The Book of Clarence Review: A Brash and Humanist Act of Biblical Revisionism

Nick Schager

Nick Schager is the entertainment critic for The Daily Beast . His work has also appeared in Variety , Esquire , The Village Voice , and other publications.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Review: I Love Your Work

Review: Loving Couples

Sign Up for Our Weekly Newsletter

How to Watch 'The Chronicles of Narnia' Movies In Order (Chronologically or By Release Date)

Your changes have been saved

Email Is sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

The Big Picture

• The Chronicles of Narnia is a classic coming-of-age story that has sold over 100 million copies and continues to be a staple in children's literature.
• Narnia and The Lord of the Rings both made the fantasy genre what it is today, with Disney's live-action adaptations bringing in a new generation of fans.
• The Narnia movie trilogy includes The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe , Prince Caspian , and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader , each continuing the story and introducing new characters and themes.

The Chronicles of Narnia is a series of books by legendary author C.S. Lewis . We follow a group of children as they traverse the mystical world of Narnia, a place that exists outside of our reality. Along the way, they must fight to save Narnia while also making self-discoveries, allowing them to grow and mature throughout the franchise. The Narnia series is a classic coming-of-age story and one that has been a pop culture staple since the original release of the first book, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe , dating back to the year 1950. Since its initial release, The Chronicles of Narnia has sold more than 100 million copies and continues to be a staple in children’s literature. The seven Narnia books helped lay the groundwork for other young adult epics such as the Harry Potter franchise.

The cultural impact of The Chronicles of Narnia can’t be overstated. Narnia and The Lord of the Rings — coincidently created by Lewis’ close friend, J.R.R. Tolkien —both made the fantasy genre what it is today. What started as a child’s fantasy series grew to become a franchise that has been adapted for radio, television, and most notably, the cinema. Disney’s live-action The Chronicles of Narnia is the most popular of the adaptations and brought in an entirely new generation of fans. The reimagining brought the vast scope and visuals needed to enhance such an amazing story. While Disney didn’t adapt all seven of the Narnia books , they introduced the series to a new audience, creating renewed interest in the franchise as a whole. With the news of Greta Gerwin helming a new Narnia TV series at Netflix , here's a guide to the live-action Chronicles of Narnia movies if you want to revisit the origina series.

The Chronicles of Narnia Movies in Order of Release Date

Here are The Chronicles of Narnia movies in order of how the films were released in theaters.

'The Chronicles of Narnia' Movies in Chronological Order

'the chronicles of narnia: the lion, the witch, and the wardrobe'.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

During the World War II bombings of London, four English siblings are sent to a country house where they will be safe. One day Lucy (Georgie Henley) finds a wardrobe that transports her to a magical world called Narnia. After coming back, she soon returns to Narnia with her brothers, Peter (William Moseley) and Edmund (Skandar Keynes), and her sister, Susan (Anna Popplewell). There they join the magical lion, Aslan (Liam Neeson), in the fight against the evil White Witch, Jadis (Tilda Swinton).

The first film in the Narnia series follows the story of the first book (chronologically). Here, siblings, Lucy ( Georgie Henley ) , Edmond ( Skandar Keynes ), Susan ( Anna Popplewell ), and Peter Pevensie ( William Moseley ), travel to Narnia by way of a magical wardrobe. Once there, they are introduced to all of the incredible things Narnia has to offer, but not everything is as it seems. The children must learn to work together and fight to free Narnia from the power of the White Witch ( Tilda Swinton ), the evil ruler of this mystical land.

Along the way, they meet Mr. Tumnus ( James McAvoy ), Mr. Beaver ( Ray Winstone ), Mrs. Beaver ( Elizabeth Hawthorne ), and the all-power lion, Aslan ( Liam Neeson ). All characters who will help guide them on their journey. This film introduces the audience to the many themes that will continue to appear in the Narnia franchise. Redemption, forgiveness, and honor are all central ideals you see in the series, and The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe lean heavily into those themes. Aslan and the White Witch embody good and evil, making things very easy for all audiences to follow along.

'The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian'

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008)

One year after their previous adventure, the Pevensie children (Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, William Moseley, Anna Popplewell) return to the magical land of Narnia and find that 1300 years have passed there. War has come to Narnia once again, and the children join forces with Prince Caspian (Ben Barnes) to overthrow the evil King Miraz and restore peace to the land.

The second film in the trilogy is The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian . The Pevensie children return to Narnia after a year away only to find that 1,300 years have passed since their adventure during The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe and when they ruled Narnia as kings and queens . Once again, war has ravaged Narnia, and the kids have to form an alliance with Prince Caspian ( Ben Barnes ) in an attempt to liberate the land from the villainous King Miraz ( Sergio Castellitto ).

This film takes place one year after the original film in the human world, but time in Narnia is vastly different than our own. Things are bleak, and the children have to realize that the fight won’t be the same as last time. The sequel is a bit more mature in tone, and a lot of the focus shifts to the mysterious yet noble Prince Caspian . The majority of the supporting cast has been swamped out in favor of new characters . A logical step considering the significant time jump in Narnia. Alongside the Pevensie’s and Prince Caspian is a new supporting cast of characters such as Trumpkin ( Peter Dinklage ), Nikabrik ( Warwick Davis ), Doctor Cornelius ( Vincent Grass ), and General Glozelle ( Pierfrancesco Favino ).

'The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader'

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Visiting their annoying cousin, Eustace, Lucy (Georgie Henley) and Edmund Pevensie (Skandar Keynes) come across a painting of a majestic ship called the Dawn Treader. Suddenly, the painting comes to life and draws the youths into Narnia, where they meet their old friend, King Caspian (Ben Barnes). Caspian is on a quest to find the seven lost Lords of Telmar, whose swords will save Narnia from an evil green mist that enslaves men's minds and bodies.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is the third and final film in the Narnia trilogy. Three years have passed since the events of Prince Caspian . Both Susan and Peter are in America, while Edmond and Lucy stay with their annoying cousin, Eustace Scrubb ( Will Poulter ). With the kids trying to adjust to their new living situation, the three discover a magical painting that transports them to Narnia. Much to Eustance’s surprise, Narnia is real, and the three reunite with their old friend, Caspian. This time, Caspian is on a quest to find the seven lost Lords of Telmar. With their swords, they’d be able to stop this mysterious green mist that is enslaving the minds and bodies of men.

This film is the first not to feature Peter and Susan, and that was enough to change the character dynamic, but with the introduction of Eustace, things feel even more off. Dawn Treader is the weakest film in the trilogy, and unfortunately, ends the franchise on a sour note without the possibility of adapting more of Lewis' novels . The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is also the only film in the series not produced by the Walt Disney Company and was instead produced by 20th Century FOX. This is what led to the change in tone as the film features a new director, composer, and cinematographer from the previous two movies. After the Disney/FOX merger , the film rights to the movie are now owned by Disney, allowing it to join the other two films on Disney+.

Stream the entire The Chronicles of Narnia series on Disney+ in the U.S.

Watch on Disney+

• Movie Features

The Christian Post

To enjoy our website, you'll need to enable JavaScript in your web browser. Please click here to learn how.

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

Recommended

‘A feat of diplomacy’: Biden hails Russia-US prisoner swap

Founding elder exits Gateway Church as attendance falls in wake of Robert Morris scandal

America's youngest Olympic athlete cites Isaiah 40:31 after winning gold medal

Lutherans, Orthodox Church reach agreement on 1,000-year debate over Nicene Creed

Black preachers condemn Margaret Sanger, Planned Parenthood: 'Nothing is more racist in America'

Media rewrites Kamala’s record

Dealing with sin in the Church: Neither greasy grace nor haughty holiness

The war on education: Overcoming evil with good

What will Heaven be like? Here is your answer

6 progressive policies of Kamala Harris that should scare you

Review of 'the chronicles of narnia: the lion, the witch, and the wardrobe', incredibly human and magically moving, the new chronicles of narnia: the lion, the witch, and the wardrobe, will open in theaters nationwide friday, dec. 9, but church-based fans have already turned out in force at several previews..

NEW YORK – The new Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, is a delightful family-friendly movie for any age. Its Christian undertones inspire faith and color the film with greater depth.

Though Disney's latest movie will open in theaters nationwide Friday, Dec. 9, church-based fans have already turned out in force at several previews. Focus on the Family’s entire Colorado-based team of 700 employees saw the film in November, and Saddleback Church bought out 20,000 seats and filled up every single movie theater in Lake Forest, Calif., to watch the movie a few days early. At a Dec. 6preview in Manhattan, N.Y., sponsored by publisher Harper Collins, hundreds filled the darkened theater to watch the film that some say teaches about Christ.

Narnia has few of the kind of fast-paced action sequences, intense emotional experiences, and dramatic landscape shots we’ve come to know and expect from blockbuster films (i.e. Matrix, Passion of the Christ, or Lord of the Rings).

Get Our Latest News for FREE

For example, the battle between Peter's forces and the witch's was satisfying, and the children's tumult through ice-cold rapids exhilarating, but some more of those action sequences could’ve added to the wonder and magic of what has been called the most anticipated film in history for Christians.

It may just be this absence of blood, gore, and chilling details that will make this a classic children’s film in any parent’s must-have collection.

The Narnia film is faithful to the book’s storyline down to its opening scene, where air bombs are falling on war-ridden Great Britain. Four children, running from the war, arrive at a mansion in the countryside and find a magic wardrobe while playing hide-and-seek. Their adventures in the land of Narnia through the wardrobe bring them face to face with their own shortcomings. But it is their triumph over sin out of love for each other that makes the film’s climatic end satisfying.

Though faithful, the movie lacks the epic quality of the book when edited to just two hours long. What was a very long and fateful journey to Stone Table turned into minutes of switching scenes. The druids or talking trees were missing, and the giants were rather unenchanting.

But there is rich cinematography that may coincide with the mind's eye. The witch's ice cold demeanor is matched by her ice crown and palace. The movements of Aslan the Lion are believable, and its voice and growl resonate realistically. The centaur, the faun, and the unicorn are all realistic, but need more character building.

Based on the popular children’s novel written by C.S. Lewis, a reputable theologian born at the turn of the last century, the film's Christian bedrock shone through. It is spiritually uplifting and embodies grounded theology and Biblical references. The makers clearly sought the opinions of Christians.

In the end, it is the humanity of the children that will capture an audience. Lucy is charmingly impulsive. Susan is loyal and cautious. Peter is judgmental but courageous. And all can empathize with Edmund as the fallen one. These children, who are so classically flawed and in need of God's grace are what bring out the classic story’s inspirational qualities.

Was this article helpful?

Help keep The Christian Post free for everyone.

By making a recurring donation or a one-time donation of any amount, you're helping to keep CP's articles free and accessible for everyone.

We’re sorry to hear that.

Hope you’ll give us another try and check out some other articles. Return to homepage.

Most Popular

13-year-old budding preacher who lived for the ‘Glory of God’ killed for camera

5 things to know about Kamala Harris' pastor

Pastor Jack Hibbs challenges pastors to stand firm on biblical truth in 'woke' culture

Top 5 nominees for 2024 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards

Muslims storm church service, force Christians to stop worshiping Christ in viral video

More articles.

Drag queens back Kamala days after VP hosts 'Queer Eye,' appears on RuPaul's show

Group of Brands

Chronicles of Narnia Cast and Character Guide

Your changes have been saved

Email Is sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

Quick Links

Mr. tumnus introduces fans to the magical world, eustace scrubb was a cousin of the pevensie's, jadis/the white witch is the most famous villain of the series, prince caspian leads narnia after the pevensies, aslan is the god of narnia, edmund pevensie was the villain turned hero of the original sibilings, lucy pevensie showed fans the magic of narnia, susan pevensie was the skeptic of the family, peter pevensie helped to liberate narnia, where is the cast of the chronicles of narnia today.

The Chronicles of Narnia 's media has undergone some big adaptations on film and television over the decades. From a very theatrical black-and-white TV film from 1967, and an animated film in 1979, to the romantic and glowing magic of the BBC's three TV series spanning from 1988 to 1990, Narnia was inspiring on film to get children and adults alike to revisit the books.

Then in 2005, Disney took on the series in three films, The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe , Prince Caspian , and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader , bolstering the series with bombastic CGI, costumes and armor from Weta Workshops, and an epic score by Harry Gregson-Williams and David Arnold, new audiences could experience the magic for the first time. With the news that Greta Gerwig will be rebooting the Narnia franchise with Netflix , it's due time to get a refresher on some of the top characters featured in the series, who they were, and how they developed throughout the Disney films as well as the books.

Updated on July 22, 2024, by Arthur Goyaz: With the news of new Chronicles of Narnia movies coming soon, it's time to revisit the brilliant cast of the Disney rendition of C. S. Lewis' fantasy series. This article was updated to add more information about the Chronicles of Narnia cast in the present time.

'Makes Me Sad': Original Narnia Star Reacts to Greta Gerwig’s Netflix Reboot

The Chronicles of Narnia vet William Moseley breaks his silence regarding Netflix’s upcoming Narnia reboot with director Greta Gerwig.

A big widespread debut for James McAvoy was his portrayal of Mr. Tumnus in The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe . This delightful and conflicted fawn would be Lucy's first impression of the people of Narnia, and also, of readers. This Faun's home was the epitome of cozy cottage core before it had a name and echoes the inspirations likely exchanged between C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien when talking of Hobbits and fey creatures.

Mr. Tumnus goes through a great deal of development throughout The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe , from cowering and afraid Faun to sacrificing himself to save Lucy from The White Witch . This leads to his petrification, but luckily not for long. Mr. Tumnus would eventually become special advisor to the Kings and Queens of Narnia and makes appearances in The Horse and His Boy and The Last Battle books.

One of the less likable children from Earth in the Narnia series, Eustace takes some time to develop and grow as he is constantly bullied and ridiculed in school . Although C.S. Lewis wrote this character to exemplify the things he despised in whinier children, he gave Eustace a chance to grow through the adventures he experienced, learning bravery and optimism amid harsh circumstances. Eustace's perspective in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader book is heavily documented since much of the book is told through his diary entry perspectives.

Soon enough, Eustace learned that he was being selfish and tried to take lessons from his crew mates and cousins, rather than disregard them. One very notable teaching moment is when his greediness over a dragon's hoard he finds turns him into a dragon. His lesson learned Eustace uses his new form to help the crew and finally make himself useful. This adventure and his progress would eventually lead him to return to The Silver Chair , for a much darker adventure full of giants, sorcerers, dark swamps, and deep mines.

Jadis, The White Witch of Narnia is one of the most wickedly vile antagonists of the Narnia books and movies. For many, seeing The White Witch played by Tilda Swinton was many people's first time seeing her in a Hollywood film. Although Tilda Swinton's overall design and looks were very different from the original description of The White Witch, her icy character and sly and tempting ways still froze through the hearts of audiences. She would make such an impact, that even Prince Caspian and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader would include her in the story as well, even though she never appears in the original literature.

That being said, The White Witch is the main antagonist in the book The Magician's Nephew as well, a book that many in the Narnia fandom hope will be made in the upcoming run of reboot films by Greta Gerwig. The White Witch is said to be one of the "Northern Witches" and possibly a mix of a Jinn and a Half-giant. Aside from Aslan, The White Witch was one of the other ancient powers in Narnia, living for about 1,000 years before she died in the battle for Narnia at the hands of Aslan.

Whereas Aslan is equated to God from Catholicism, The White Witch is connected to Adam's first wife, Lilith. One of the most notable moments of The White Witch is unfortunately not in the films, but rather in The Magician's Nephew , when she literally stumbles into England briefly, cutting a lamp post from its base and bringing it back with her into Narnia, thus creating the iconic landmark of the lamp post in Narnia's forests.

Prince Caspian's casting, let alone the entire thematic casting of the Telmarines in Prince Caspian was an inspired and appropriate choice for a people who had landed and conquered Narnia with an iron fist. Ben Barnes adopting a Spanish accent to fit into the conquistador-influenced image of the Telmarines in Disney's adaptation of Prince Caspian was well done and brilliantly played out. Caspian has always been an in-Narnia hero who grew out of his conqueror bloodline to become a noble Prince for Narnia to rally behind.

Bred out of his crown by his aunt's newborn son, Prince Caspian is spirited away into the night to avoid being murdered by his uncle . He finds himself in the company of native Narnian people and creatures who help him find a way to rally the old Kings and Queens of Narnia back to fight against the Telmarines. Although most of his heroics are highly noted in Prince Caspian and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader , a childhood favorite moment of fans happens in The Silver Chair .

In the end, the long-passed Caspian is brought back for a moment by Aslan to help Eustace and Jill fight the bullies at their school. Drawing his sword, side-by-side with them, and Aslan, they charge the onslaught of bullies armed with cricket bats and their cowardly spectators egging them on. This scene was beautifully realized in the 1990 BBC series that adapted The Silver Chair . Who wouldn't want a fully-armed Prince Caspian on their side when facing a horde of school bullies?

The Lord of the Rings & 9 Other Amazing Long Movies Fantasy Fans Should Watch

From The Chronicles of Narnia to the Harry Potter series, these iconic fantasy movies are long enough to keep fantasy fans for a lengthy binge watch.

The God of Narnia, and quite literally hinted to be a parallel for a God on Earth, the mystique behind this magnificent Lion perplexes and excites his allies, and strikes the ultimate fear into his enemies. Featured in all seven of the books and a presence wherever he appears, Aslan remains one of the more incredible creatures in the world of Narnia. Voiced by the rumbling growls of Liam Neeson, Disney's Aslan was impressively animated with CGI as far as early 2000's animation goes and the gravity of his presence and voice carried wonderfully.

Although Aslan is at the top of the food chain in Narnia, he is mainly a character who comes and goes when he is in great need , so even though his presence in the books is stalwart throughout, his volume of actions and development is far, and little in-between. Nevertheless, it does not make him any less of a compelling character. This messianic figure of fantasy is an iconic example of benevolence and mystique within fantasy literature.

Being the middle child at the younger end of the Pevensie quartet isn't the easiest place to be, and it builds a lot of insecurity and the need to overcompensate when it comes to Edmund. Although he eventually comes into his own, Edmund is one of the lighter antagonists at the beginning of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe , and where Lucy found good people when she entered Narnia, Edmund finds the worst of them, The White Witch.

Eventually, Edmund would become known as King Edmund "The Just" and undergoes the most character development throughout his story in The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe . His years ruling as a King of Narnia bolstered his desire to be heroic in Britain, and he tried to sneak his way into enlisting even though he was very much underage. Luckily for Edmund, he would have another chance to return to Narnia with Lucy and their cousin Eustace in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader .

Lucy has always been the fan favorite as the true believer and discoverer of the portal to Narnia through the wardrobe in The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe . Her curious naivety opens the world of possibilities and introduces readers and audiences to the good people in Narnia. The greatest gift Lucy has is her ability to see the good in people, especially when they don't see it in themselves, and inspires them to do better in the wake of their errors. She quickly forgives Edmund for his wrongdoings and remains friends with Mr. Tumnus even after he attempts to capture her for The White Witch.

This forgiving and kind character is played sweetly by Georgie Henley, and her casting felt quite appropriate and consistent with the previous rendition of Lucy in 1988's BBC renditions of Narnia adapted as a television series. Although Aslan doesn't seem to play favorites with anyone, it's quite clear that he prefers to show himself to Lucy the most throughout the series. Because she is the youngest, Lucy is featured in five of the seven books.

With a gentle hand but wise counsel, Susan is Peter's counterpart in helping govern order and harmony among the Pevensie siblings. Although her initial disbelief in Lucy paints her as a follower of Peter and Edmund rather than a sisterly ally, she quickly backtracks and supports Lucy moving forward. Although it seemed like an unwise venture, Susan and Lucy both accompany Aslan to his horrible death at The Stone Table, which eventually ends up being a saving grace in the Battle for Narnia in The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe as they led the reinforcements to the front.

Anna Popplewell's subtlety in her performance is gently delivered and conveys a gradual and natural growth through the films as she matures. Unfortunately, Susan ends up being unable to return like her older brother Peter after the events of Prince Caspian and both grow up to be jaded by their inability to return.

Most alliterated characters in superhero and fantasy media seem to take the spotlight, even if they're not as important in the grander scheme of the story. Peter Pevensie, played by William Moseley built a very believable older brother trying to be brave for his siblings, serving as an exemplary kid in both Narnia and WWII-afflicted Britain. For this reason, Peter takes centerstage for most of the Disney renditions when it comes to being donned in thick and regal armor and brandishing his sword.

Constantly trying to wrangle the chaos and bullying between the siblings, Peter is not beyond apologizing when he is proven wrong. He listens to his siblings and tries to give them the benefit of the doubt if he questions their ideas or motives, which makes him a decently balanced leader. Although Narnia is run as a Tetrarchy (Between four monarchs) it's clear that Peter is one of the most mediating individuals between the Pevensie children.

15 High Fantasy Romance Movies That Combine Love with Adventure

Although many films employ tropes from the fantasy and romance genres, only a few can satisfyingly combine them in a single story.

Fans eagerly await the casting news of Greta Gerwig's Narnia , and the possibility of one of the original actors returning to the remakes fills the hearts of long-time fans with hope and nostalgia. It's been 24 years since The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader , the third and final Disney adaptation, but both the young and veteran actors who brought The Chronicles of Narnia to life went on to have fruitful careers.

• James McAvoy as Mr. Tummus - McAvoy made his breakthrough performance in the British version of Shameless before kicking off a promising film career in The Chronicles of Narnia . As a fan of fantasy, he starred in the HBO rendition of the controversial anti-Narnia series His Dark Materials , the X-Men franchise, It: Chapter Two , and most recently, in Netflix's TV adaptation of Neil Gaiman's Sandman .
• Will Poulter as Eustace Scrubb - After The Chronicles of Narnia, Poulter went on to star in movies such as We're the Millers, The Maze Runner franchise, The Revenant, Midsommar , and Black Mirror: Bandersnatch . The actor is currently trending after making key appearances in the hit show The Bear and in the MCU as Adam Warlock.
• Tilda Swinton as The White Witch - Swinton was the most popular face in The Chronicles of Narnia back when the movie came out, and she continues to appear in a variety of original and versatile productions. Most recently, she's appeared in five Wes Anderson movies so far and has joined Phase Three of the MCU as The Ancient One.
• Ben Barnes as Prince Caspian - Barnes has a soft spot for fantasy series, having appeared in movies and TV shows like Stardust, Seventh Son, Westworld, and Shadow and Bone. In the latter, he played General Kirigan, the polar opposite of what the pure and loyal Prince Caspian represents in The Chronicles of Narnia .
• Liam Neeson as Aslan - Aslan wasn't the only time Neeson played god on the big screen: as an action flick star, the actor has faced all sorts of death-defying situations in movies such as Taken, The Grey, Star Wars , and Batman Begins . His latest appearance was In the Land of Saints and Sinners , an Irish crime thriller.
• Skandar Keynes as Edmund - Keynes is the only Pevensie child who's decided not to move on with an acting career, focusing on British politics instead. The Narnia film adaptations and a TV movie on Enzo Ferrari are the only credits in his filmography, and Keynes, now 32 years old, has become a prolific political advisor.
• Georgie Henley as Lucy - Henley starred in two thrillers after Narnia, Perfect Sisters and The Sisterhood of Night , before disappearing for five years from the entertainment industry. In 2019, the actress joined the cast of The Spanish Princess, and most recently, she played Pensy in The Diplomat , shifting her focus from film to TV.
• Anna Popplewell as Susan - Popplewell was faced with widespread success as Lola in the historical drama series Reign , which aired from 2013 to 2016, and she has recently starred in the horror movie The Nun II ; part of The Conjuring cinematic universe .
• William Moseley as Peter - The eldest Pensevie sibling is still active in the film industry: he has recently starred in movies such as Friend Request , Artemis Fowl , and Raven's Hollow . Moseley's latest projects were On the Line , where he starred opposite Mel Gibson, and Murder Company , a WWII movie.

The Chronicles of Narnia

Four kids travel through a wardrobe to the land of Narnia and learn of their destiny to free it with the guidance of a mystical lion.

Log in or sign up for Rotten Tomatoes

Trouble logging in?

By continuing, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes.

Email not verified

Let's keep in touch.

Sign up for the Rotten Tomatoes newsletter to get weekly updates on:

• Upcoming Movies and TV shows
• Rotten Tomatoes Podcast
• Media News + More

By clicking "Sign Me Up," you are agreeing to receive occasional emails and communications from Fandango Media (Fandango, Vudu, and Rotten Tomatoes) and consenting to Fandango's Privacy Policy and Terms and Policies . Please allow 10 business days for your account to reflect your preferences.

OK, got it!

• What's the Tomatometer®?
• Login/signup

Movies in theaters

• Opening this week
• Top box office
• Coming soon to theaters
• Certified fresh movies

Movies at home

• Fandango at Home
• Prime Video
• Most popular streaming movies
• What to Watch New

Certified fresh picks

• 79% Deadpool & Wolverine Link to Deadpool & Wolverine
• 98% Sing Sing Link to Sing Sing
• 96% Dìdi Link to Dìdi

New TV Tonight

• 100% Batman: Caped Crusader: Season 1
• 88% A Good Girl's Guide to Murder: Season 1
• 80% Futurama: Season 12
• 100% Women in Blue: Season 1
• -- Unstable: Season 2
• -- Hotel Portofino: Season 3
• -- Betrayal: The Perfect Husband: Season 2
• -- Unsolved Mysteries: Season 4
• -- Cowboy Cartel: Season 1

Most Popular TV on RT

• 80% Star Wars: The Acolyte: Season 1
• 68% The Decameron: Season 1
• 100% Supacell: Season 1
• 80% Time Bandits: Season 1
• 89% Sunny: Season 1
• 49% Those About to Die: Season 1
• 76% Lady in the Lake: Season 1
• 78% Presumed Innocent: Season 1
• Best TV Shows
• Most Popular TV
• TV & Streaming News

Certified fresh pick

• 100% Batman: Caped Crusader: Season 1 Link to Batman: Caped Crusader: Season 1
• All-Time Lists
• Binge Guide
• Comics on TV
• Five Favorite Films
• Video Interviews
• Weekend Box Office
• Weekly Ketchup
• What to Watch

Netflix’s 100 Best Movies Right Now (August 2024)

100 Best Netflix Series To Watch Right Now (August 2024)

What to Watch: In Theaters and On Streaming

Awards Tour

How to Create the Perfect M. Night Shyamalan Movie

Batman: Caped Crusader First Reviews: A Solid Throwback with Top-Notch Performances

• Trending on RT
• Paris in Movies
• Comic-Con Trailers
• Cosplay Gallery
• Vote: Most Anticipated August Movie
• TV Premiere Dates

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Where to watch.

Watch The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader with a subscription on Max, rent on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

What to Know

Its leisurely, businesslike pace won't win the franchise many new fans, but Voyage of the Dawn Treader restores some of the Narnia franchise's lost luster with strong performances and impressive special effects.

Critics Reviews

Audience reviews, cast & crew.

Michael Apted

Georgie Henley

Lucy Pevensie

Skandar Keynes

Edmund Pevensie

King Caspian

Will Poulter

More Like This

Related movie news.

Can You Watch The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Online Free?

By Ritika Singh

Are you planning to watch The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe online? Your wait is over, as we have all the streaming details right here

Directed by Andrew Adamson, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a fantasy drama. It revolves around the adventures of Lucy and her group of siblings. They come across a wardrobe that transports them to a magical place called Narnia. Lucy realizes it is a game of destiny and they must face off against an evil queen. The film is the first part of The Chronicles of Narnia franchise. It opened to mainly favorable reviews and emerged as a box-office success.

How to watch The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe streaming online?

You can watch The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe via Disney Plus .

Disney+ Has the Best Bundle in the Business

Sign-up today for access to Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+

The streaming platform offers a detailed library of blockbuster content from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic.

• Disney Plus

So if you want to watch The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe make sure to subscribe to Disney Plus’s official website.

Can you watch The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe online for free legally?

You can’t watch The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe for free.

This is because Disney Plus does not offer a free trial.

What is The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe about?

The film begins in an air raid during the Second World War. This incident forces the Pevensive kids- Peter, Edmund, Susan, and Lucy to evacuate London. The kids land up in Professor Kirke’s country home. One day while playing hide-and-seek, Lucy comes across a wardrobe and decides to hide there. However, she ends up landing in a fascinating winter world. Later, a faun named Tumnus reveals she has reached the world of Narnia.

A writer who believes in writing simple yet creative stories which appeals every section of the audience. Ritika is a movie and series buff who enjoys watching content from mainstream to niche with a specific liking towards Hindi Cinema. There is a firm opinion that good movies can make lives better.

Share article

“This just seems wrong”: The Chronicles of Narnia Filmmakers Almost Doomed the Entire Franchise With One Lethal Mistake Until James McAvoy Saved the Movie

The role of Mr. Tumnus was so creepy until the studio hired James McAvoy in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.

• James McAvoy talked about his role as Mr. Tumnus in The Chronicles of Narnia.
• The studio initially wanted an older actor but they realized it would land the film in a controversy.
• The upcoming reboot with Greta Gerwig will commence production by the end of the year or early next year.

Before James McAvoy became Professor X to the world, he was once Mr. Tumnus in C.S. Lewis’ movie adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe . For many fans who grew up watching the film trilogy, the character is a fan-favorite choice.

It wouldn’t be the case though had McAvoy was not hired for the role. The studio initially wanted a much older guy, but this decision would have landed the film in a pool of controversy.

James McAvoy Discussed Playing Mr. Tumnus In The Chronicles of Narnia

While speaking with GQ , actor James McAvoy talked about the role of Mr. Tumnus in the first The Chronicles of Narnia movie. He revealed that he wasn’t the first choice for the part.

Mr. Tumnus is, I think, a centuries-old fawn. Interestingly enough, as a character who would go on to kidnap a young, I think, five-year-old, six-year-old girl, they were looking at much older actors, not much older, but like thirties and forties.

They eventually realized that the decision might have repercussions. McAvoy continued, “ And they were like, this just seems wrong. This seems really creepy .” The Scottish star said the studio “ knew that they had to get somebody who was young and who was nice and seemed un-threatening ” and he proudly believes he was all those things.

“Why not me?”: The Chronicles of Narnia Role Andrew Garfield Was “Obsessed” With

McAvoy was only 25 years old when he played Mr. Tumnus, opposite Georgie Henley, who portrayed Lucy Pevensie, who was 10 years old at the time the first film came out in 2005. In another interview with MTV , the actor shared some interesting facts about the background of his character:

The fawn or the satyr is a Dionysian follower of Bacchus in Greek mythology who are the bringers of mischief and orgiastic activity, and so the fact that C.S. Lewis chose that character to meet and kidnap the young girl is kind of weird.

That’s definitely a fact that many fans are unaware of, but thanks to the studio’s wise decision and attentiveness to detail, they managed to avoid one mishap that would have doomed the franchise from the very start.

Updates On The Chronicles of Narnia Reboot

A movie reboot is currently under development with Barbie director Greta Gerwig attached to the project. The news left a shock to the fans given how the children’s fantasy franchise was so beloved despite its failure. Many had been wondering how Gerwig would pull the project off.

She previously confessed via Total Film that she’s “ properly scared ” and “ terrified of it .” The revival is expected to be a two-picture deal in collaboration with Netflix, and shooting is expected to commence by the end of the year or early next year.

Greta Gerwig Finally Has an Update on Netflix’s Narnia Remake After Confessing She’s “Properly Scared” for the Task Ahead

Gerwig was able to put her own spin on Barbie , so it is highly likely that she has got something exciting for the upcoming Narnia duology. James McAvoy has previously debunked rumors that he’s been contacted to appear in the project.

The Chronicles of Narnia trilogy is available to watch on Disney+.

Greta Gerwig James McAvoy The Chronicles Of Narnia

Written by Ariane Cruz

Ariane Cruz, Senior Writer. She has been contributing articles for FandomWire since 2021, mostly covering stories about the latest movies and series. With a degree in Communication Arts, she has an in-depth knowledge of print and broadcast journalism. Her other works can also be seen on Screen Rant and CBR.

Copyright © 2024 FandomWire, LLC. All rights reserved.

• Sports Fashion
• Daily Soaps

Netflix's The Chronicles of Narnia: Everything we know so far

In 2018, Deadline first reported that Netflix was developing a series of feature films and shows based on C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia novels.

Additionally, an announcement divulging the news was also made via the franchise's official Facebook page, run by Harper Collins Publishers L.L.C. on October 3, 2024. An excerpt from the elaborate post read:

"Netflix will develop new series and film projects based on C.S. Lewis’ beloved The Chronicles of Narnia series. Under the terms of a multi-year deal between Netflix and The C.S. Lewis Company, Netflix will develop classic stories from across the Narnia universe into series and films for its members worldwide."

The post also listed the people and organizations attached to the projects, which includes Mark Gordon's Entertainment One (eOne), Douglas Gresham, and Vincent Sieber as executive producers for the series of shows and features under Netflix.

The timeline of Netflix's The Chronicles of Narnia

News concerning Netflix's deal with C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia series first started gaining traction in 2018. Following the public announcement made the same year, several other developments have occurred over the years.

On June 13, 2019, it was revealed that Matthew Aldrich of Coco fame has joined The Chronicles of Narnia universe under Netflix, as per Netflix Queue. On X, the official announcement read:

"Coco” co-writer Matthew Aldrich will serve as the creative architect and oversee the development of all films and shows adapted from C.S. Lewis’ beloved Narnia universe for Netflix."

Between this announcement in 2019 and 2021, no significant developments concerning the Narnia projects took place. However, in 2022, What's on Netflix exclusively reported that Netflix was looking to collaborate with director Greta Gerwig on at least two of the Narnia projects.

This information was corroborated by Gerwig herself during Barbie 's promotions while speaking to Games Radar. When asked about the projects during a brief chat with the publication, she said:

"I haven’t even really started wrapping my arms around it. But I’m properly scared of it, which feels like a good place to start. I think when I’m scared, it’s always a good sign. Maybe when I stop being scared, it’ll be like, ‘Okay. Maybe I shouldn’t do that one.’ No, I’m terrified of it. It’s extraordinary. And so we’ll see, I don’t know.”

In November of the same year, Scott Stuber, the then chairman of Netflix Films, also confirmed Gerwig's association with the upcoming projects during a conversation with Variety. He spoke about his longstanding friendship with Gerwig and her husband Noah Baumbach and highlighted why Gerwig was the obvious choice for the upcoming projects.

He highlighted that Greta Gerwig's past had a huge part in landing her the job. According to Stuber, Gerwig's Christian background played a huge role in her selection, as he believed that The Chronicles of Narnia were strictly rooted in Christianity.

During the same conversation, he also revealed about Amy Pascal 's association with the upcoming projects.

When is Netflix's The Chronicles of Narnia set for release?

According to a Deadline report from March 11, 2024, the first The Chronicles of Narnia project is not expected to go on floors until late 2024 or early 2025. Since the publication of this news, no other reports regarding developments in the projects have been published.

At this point, it is fair to say, the audiences will not receive any official confirmation about the Narnia projects until the end of this year.

While awaiting more news on the upcoming The Chronicles of Narnia projects, viewers can keep themselves occupied by watching the previously made live-action films in the franchise, currently streaming on Disney Plus and Amazon Prime Video .

• Clickbait / Misleading
• Factually Incorrect
• Hateful or Abusive
• Baseless Opinion
• Too Many Ads

Quick Links

Your perspective matters! Start the conversation

• Brainbuster🆕
• Money in the bank
• NXT Heatwave
• SK Shorts⏱️
• WWE WrestleMania XL
• Seth Rollins
• Roman Reigns
• Cody Rhodes
• PPV Schedule
• Dynasty Trade Analyzer
• Playoff Predictor ⚡
• Playoff Chances
• Mock Draft Simulator
• 2024 Draft Big Board
• Depth Charts
• Stat Leaders
• Start/ Sit Optimizer
• Patrick Mahomes
• Tony Pauline
• NFL Player Guessing Game
• Fantasy Football Team Name Generator
• Basketball Home
• NBA Draft Simulator
• Trade Rumors
• Players and Roster 2023
• Injury Updates
• World Baseball Classic
• Top MLB Picks
• Predictions
• New York Yankees
• Shohei Ohtani
• Alex Rodriguez
• Derek Jeter
• Free Agency
• NHL Predictions
• NHL Power Rankings
• Stanley Cup Final
• Tennis Home
• Wimbledon 2024
• Halle Open 2024
• Queen's Club Championships 2024
• Novak Djokovic
• Rafael Nadal
• Roger Federer
• Jannik Sinner
• Carlos Alcaraz
• Serena Williams
• Iga Swiatek
• Aryna Sabalenka
• ATP Rankings
• WTA Rankings
• ONE Championship
• UFC Fight Night
• UFC Fights Tonight
• ONE Championship Results
• ONE Championship Schedule
• ONE Championship Rankings
• Football Home
• Newsletters
• Copa America
• Champions League
• Nations League
• The Open Championship 2024
• Tiger Woods
• Phil Mickelson
• Paige Spiranac
• The Masters 2024
• The US Open
• Travelers Championship
• Canadian Grand Prix
• Max Verstappen
• Lewis Hamilton
• Red Bull Racing F1
• Mercedes F1 AMG
• F1 World Champions
• College Football Home
• Standings ⚡
• 2024 Recruitment Ranking
• College Basketball Home
• Cricket Home
• The Hundred - M 2024
• Vitality Blast
• KL T20 Bash
• Global T20 Canada
• Esports Home
• Call Of Duty
• Wuthering Waves
• Gaming Tech
• Helldivers 2
• Word Game Solvers
• Wiki Guides
• Fortnite Home
• Fortnite Item Shop
• Fortnite Shop Predicted
• Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 3
• Fortnite Updates
• Creative Codes
• Deathrun Codes
• Skins & Characters
• Zone Wars Codes
• Prop Hunt Codes
• Horror Map Codes
• GTA 6 Leaks
• GTA 5 Cheats
• GTA 5 Cheats Xbox One
• GTA San Andreas
• GTA Vice City
• GTA 5 Songs
• GTA V Cheats PS4
• GTA 5 Cheats PS3
• GTA 6 Price
• GTA 3 Cheats
• GTA San Andreas Car Cheats
• GTA Online Gun Van Location Today
• Minecraft Home
• Minecraft 1.21 Update
• Best Seed Minecraft 1.20
• Minecraft 1.21 Seeds
• Minecraft 1.20 Update
• Minecraft Snapshots
• Minecraft Dungeons
• Minecraft Farms
• Minecraft Guide
• Minecraft Championship (MCC)
• Minecraft Villager Jobs
• Best Y Level for Diamonds 1.20
• Netherite in Minecraft
• AEW Dynamite
• AEWxNJPW: Forbidden Door III
• AEW Rampage
• Dragon Ball
• Jujutsu Kaisen
• Demon Slayer
• Tokyo Revengers
• Jujutsu Kaisen Chapter 262 Spoilers
• One Piece chapter 1117 Spoilers
• My Hero Academia chapter 426 spoilers
• Jujutsu Kaisen Chapter 263 spoilers
• Olympics 2024 Home
• Connections Hints
• Today's Wordle Answer
• Wordle Solver
• Word Unscrambler
• Spelling Bee Solver
• Minecraft Wiki
• Naruto Wiki
• TikTok Wiki
• Youtube Wiki
• Terraria Wiki
• One Piece Wiki
• Community Hub
• Motorsports
• Battlegrounds Mobile India
• College Baseball
• High School Sports
• Fantasy Cricket
• Indian Football

Screen Rant

The $226m thriller that completely changed liam neeson's career is now on streaming.

Your changes have been saved

Email Is sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

$53.8M Horror Thriller Lands On Netflix's Global Chart 3 Years Later

10 times actors played multiple characters in the same franchise (& it worked), fast & furious 11 bringing back this missing character can only happen under 1 condition.

• Liam Neeson's role in Taken transformed him from a respected dramatic actor to a beloved action star.
• Taken struck a chord with audiences by showcasing a parent's quest to save their child under extreme circumstances.
• Despite mixed reviews from critics, Taken remains one of the high points in Neeson's action career, often imitated but rarely bettered.

The classic 2008 thriller that turned Liam Neeson from a respected dramatic actor into a beloved action star is now streaming on Max, and it’s still one of the high points of his career. After landing early roles in Excalibur and The Dead Pool , Neeson first rose to fame with his turn as Oskar Schindler in Steven Spielberg’s harrowing Holocaust drama Schindler’s List in 1993, which earned him a much-deserved Oscar nomination for Best Actor. This led to other leading roles in historical biopics, like 1995’s Rob Roy and 1996’s Michael Collins .

Neeson first broke into the blockbuster realm with his fan-favorite performance as Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace in 1999. He went on to play Ra’s al Ghul in Batman Begins and Aslan in The Chronicles of Narnia trilogy. But Neeson still wasn’t done evolving his career and surprising audiences. In 2008, he starred in a tiny low-budget thriller about a desperate father searching for his kidnapped daughter, and it unexpectedly became a global hit. It turned him into an iconic action hero and led to a whole new career renaissance for the actor.

Taken Is Now Streaming On Max – What To Know About The Movie

Neeson stars as a father trying to find his kidnapped daughter in paris.

Neeson’s first straightforward action thriller, Taken , originally released in 2008, is now streaming on Max . Neeson plays an ex-CIA agent and single father named Bryan Mills , who’s now more interested in building a relationship with his 17-year-old daughter Kim than protecting national security. When Kim and her friend go on a trip to Paris, they’re abducted by a sinister band of Albanian human traffickers. Mills determines he has 96 hours to find her before she’s lost forever , and heads to Paris to track her down. He draws on his very particular set of skills to bring the traffickers to justice.

Neeson’s co-stars include Maggie Grace as Kim, Famke Janssen as his ex-wife Lenore, Xander Berkeley as Lenore’s new husband, and Leland Orser as an old CIA colleague who helps Mills track down Kim’s kidnappers. When it first arrived in 2008, Taken was met with mixed reviews from critics. It’s sitting right on the verge of a “ rotten ” verdict on Rotten Tomatoes with the just-about-fresh score of 60%. Critics praised Neeson’s performance, but criticized the implausible logic of the film’s plot.

But in spite of those mixed reviews, Taken really struck a chord with audiences . Everyone can relate to Mills, because he just wants to save his daughter from the worst people in the world. A parent’s quest to keep their child safe is universal, and Taken puts that universal parental feeling under the most extreme circumstances for an action thriller that’s both hugely entertaining on a visceral level and deeply engaging on an emotional level.

Taken grossed $226.8 million worldwide on a budget of $25 million.

How Taken Transformed Liam Neeson's Career

Taken turned neeson into an action star.

Although Neeson didn’t think much of Taken when he was shooting it, it ended up completely redefining his career. He went from being the Oscar nominee best known for his role in Schindler’s List to being the action star best known for his role in Taken . Taken started a trend of action movies starring older actors – it was promptly followed by RED , The Gunman , The Expendables , Escape Plan , and A Good Day to Die Hard – and created a whole subgenre dubbed “ geriaction. ” What was expected to be a forgettable straight-to-DVD thriller ended up being a game-changer in the action genre.

Neeson has done a handful of non-action movies in the years since he starred in Taken ( Silence , The Lego Movie , A Million Ways to Die in the West ), but most of his post- Taken films have been attempts to recapture Taken ’s success . Unknown , Non-Stop , Run All Night , The Commuter , Cold Pursuit , Honest Thief , The Marksman , and The Ice Road were all shallow attempts to replicate the success of Taken . Neeson even starred in two sequels to Taken that were just as successful at the box office but didn’t resonate nearly as much.

Taken Is Still One Of The High Points Of Liam Neeson's Action Career

Taken is often imitated but rarely bettered.

Given that it’s often imitated but rarely matched (and even more rarely improved upon), Taken remains one of the high points of Neeson’s action movie career. Out of the post- Taken bunch of Neeson-starring actioners, there are only a small handful that are worthy of basking in Taken ’s legacy. The Grey is a nail-biting thriller that pits Neeson against a pack of wolves in the harsh wilderness. Cold Pursuit subverted expectations with a pitch-black sense of humor. Liam Neeson has made some great action movies since Taken , but they’re sadly few and far between.

Taken stars Liam Neeson as ex-Green Beret and ex-CIA operative Bryan Mills, who retired from his life of fighting in order to be there for his family. When his teenage daughter Kim (Maggie Grace) travels to Paris and is kidnapped by human traffickers, Mills launches into action, mounting a one-man rescue mission that sees him tear through gangs of European criminals with extreme prejudice in hopes of finding and rescuing Kim before it's too late.